Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) introduced five new PNA microwave vector network analyzer models, up to 67 GHz. The new PNA Series is based on Agilent's PNA-X architecture and is the world's highest performing microwave network analyzer, setting a new price/performance standard in the industry.

The Agilent PNA is used to test a wide variety of passive and active devices such as filters, duplexers, amplifiers and frequency converters. The high-performance characteristics of the PNA make it an ideal solution for these types of component characterizations as well as millimeter-wave, signal integrity and materials measurements.

The PNA Series provides high-power sources and the best linear receivers, giving it the most accurate S-parameter measurements with the widest power range in the market. This outstanding performance helps engineers increase yields with less guard band and provides the best data correlation between design verifications and production tests, making the new PNA Series the most dependable tool in microwave network analysis.

"Agilent is committed to offering the industry's highest performing network analyzers to help our customers develop the highest quality components," said Gregg Peters, vice president of Agilent's Component Test Division. "The PNA's performance levels help support our goal - and we are determined to set new milestones as we reinforce our leadership in network analysis."

The PNA Series now offers the majority of advanced measurement options currently available on the PNA-X Series and includes noise figure measurements, gain compression, two-tone IMD/spectrum analysis, true-mode stimulus, source phase control and fast CW mode. In the design and production of passive and active devices, these advanced applications improve accuracy and productivity for high-performance microwave component characterization and testing.

The PNA family shares a common software platform making it easy to customize for just the right level of performance to meet specific budget and measurement needs. Software options can also be added later to meet future test requirements. The PNA is also compatible with Agilent's Physical Layer Test System, materials measurement software and multiport test sets.

The PNA family includes the PNA-L, PNA and PNA-X Series, covering frequencies from 300 kHz to 1.05 THz. The PNA-L is designed for general-purpose network analysis; the PNA is the world's highest performing vector network analyzer; and the PNA-X provides complete linear and nonlinear component characterization in a single instrument with a single connection. The PNA family offers advanced connectivity via LAN, USB and GPIB; an easy-to-use open architecture based on the Microsoft Windows(tm) operating system; and an extensive embedded help system. The PNA family's CPU and operating system can be upgraded as technologies evolve. The new PNA N522XA replaces the existing PNA E836XC.